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Saturday, 28 February 2015

Kai has now discovered the truth about her past and the
city of Ninurta. With a changing Government in its early fragile stages there
have been a growing rebel group who wants a revolution and get rid of the Infinite.
Kai is stuck in the middle with Avan not remembering his human self and discovering
his new powers, and Reev who is acting suspiciously and may be involved with
the rebels. On top of this she has lost her powers to manipulate time. But
everything changes when they learn they are not alone and there is a city
outside of Ninurta called Lanathrill who needs their aid. With Kai and some
Hollows, including Mason, investigating, will they discover that these people are
hiding something?

The Infinite is the very enjoyable sequel to Gates of
Thread and Stone which was well written and a fascinating story. It has more
action and twists, and we get to see more of this world.

Kai has become more confident in this book but she is still
determined and caring and does not know what she wants to do with her life. I miss
the old Avan and I struggled to warm to the new him but he was not much in this
book so I hope he is in the next one more. Similarly, I also wish Reev was more
in this book as I feel there is more that we can learn about him.

Mason is a nice character who is tough yet cheeky and I like
that he played a bigger role in this book. There are also some interesting new characters
including Emryn who is a single-minded ruler who wants to live up to his dead
father expectations and restore glory to Lanathrill, and Cassia who is a sweet
and amiable girl.

I really liked this book and I can’t wait to read the next
book in this series. I would recommend The Infinite to fans of the first book
Gates of Threat and Stone

Thursday, 26 February 2015

In the city of Ninurta, 17 year old Kai has the ability to
manipulate the threads of time but only one man, the ruler of Ninurta, is meant
to possess magic. Kai has no memories from the age of 8 since her adoptive
brother, Reev found her on the river bank. When Reev disappears, Kai vows to
find him no matter what it takes and with her only friend Avan, she leaves the
only home she has ever known. To save Reev, Kai must unravel her past and
discover the secrets that everyone has been hiding.

Gates of Thread and Stone is a really good fantasy novel
which was unpredictable and kept me on the edge of my seat. It has interesting
mythology, action and romance. While it is a fantasy novel, it was unusual as
it was dystopian fantasy world and I have never read anything like it.

I like Kai as she is a good person who is loyal and caring but
is also stubborn, determined and feisty. Avan is enigmatic, protective and
unlike some romantic interests has a past. I also like Reev as he was the
perfect big brother and Mason and I hope we learn more about them.

It has a bitter sweet ending and I am looking forward to
reading the next book, The Infinite. I would recommend Gates of Thread and
stone to fans of Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne and Threats of Sky and Sea
by Jennifer Ellision.

Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Ryiah is now an apprentice in the combat faction of magic
but everything is just begining. She has 4 years left until she becomes a mage,
but it is not going to be easy as her sexist training master hates her. She is
sharing this experience with her best friend Ella, her twin brother Alex and an
older apprentice Ian who seems to like her. But she cannot stop her attraction to
her friend/rival Prince Darren who is betrothed to her bully. Just when Ryiah
starts to get use to her new life, a fellow apprentice is killed and they are
drawn into a brewing conflict between Jerar and neighbouring country Caltoth.

Apprentice is the very good sequel to First Year, as I could
not stop reading it and had to find out what happened next, and even after I finished
it I could not stop thinking about it. This book has more action and romance
than the last book. However, the one minor problem with this book was that
because it was set over 4 years I felt it skipped over too much and only
focused on certain things at the expense of others.

I really liked Ryiah as she is stubborn and determined, and
she was a normal person with normal flaws, but she was a bit obsessed with boys
in this book. I could never figure out what Darren was going to do next, as one
second I really liked him and the next I hated him and this happened though out
the book. One person I felt very sorry for was Ian, as I felt Ryiah used him. I
also loved the secondary character, especially Ella and Alex and I liked
getting to know Ryiah and Alex’s charming younger brother Derrick.

This book was very good and I am really looking forward to
the next book Candidate. I would recommend to fans for the first book in the
Black Mage series, First Year.

Saturday, 21 February 2015

Aquila has finally found out what she is and has discovered
friends, family and love in the city of Celthia. However, she has been kidnapped
by the Dragone while trying to rescue her mother, but she has been betrayed and
injured by the man she loves, Liam. Now she must find a way to escape, but
whilst there she begins to questions things, why the future ruler of the
Dragone looks so familiar, and why they do not act like the people the Avian
describe. With Aqua trying to figure out the truth, she has to face her future
and figure out where she belongs.

I really enjoyed Aquila: Into the Light as it was a fact
paced and addictive sequel. There is more action in this book, has a lot of
twists and is well written.

Aqua has developed during these two books, as she finally
knows what type of person she is, and she is really protective and fights for
what is fair. There are some new characters that I really like in this book. One
is Brue as he is a typical boy who is charming and wants to be brave but mostly
just gets into trouble. The other is Axion as he is thoughtful, caring and philosophical.

SPOILER

However I did not like Liam as much in this book, mostly
because he shot an arrow at Aqua and he never really explains why. Also people
thinking Aqua is unreasonable for not forgiving him, and then about halfway
though everyone, including Aqua, seems to have forgotten that is ever happened.

SPOILER END

Despite this I did really like this book and I look forward
to what T L Searle does next. I would recommend Aquila: Into the Light to fans
of the first book Aquila: From the Darkness

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

Adrian and Sydney are married, but their married life has
not gone smoothly, they are hiding from the wrath of The Alchemists with the
Moroi, but the Moroi are disgusted and confused by their relationship. But
worse is that Jill has been missing for a month with no idea of where she is or
if she is even alive. When Sydney receives a clue to where Jill is, she goes on
a dangerous hunt to find her. Meanwhile, Adrian is trying to save Nina from
using too much spirit and going crazy, but discovers that her sister, Olive,
has been keeping a shocking secret from everyone. With both Sydney and Adrian
desperate to find Jill, will they ever be able to stop running?

The Ruby Circle is the brilliant conclusion to the
Bloodlines series, and fans of the previous books will not be disappointed. It
has magic, romance and action, with a scavenger hunt type of adventure which
has lots of twists and turns.

Both Sydney and Adrian have developed so much as characters
in this series. Sydney is still, mature, organised and smart, but she is now
much more open minded and less of a control freak. I feel Adrian has grown the
most in this series, as he is much more responsible than he was in the Vampire
Academy series and less laidback but is also the kind, charming and witty
Adrian than we know and love.

There are lots of cameo’s from character’s from Vampire
Academy, especially Rose and Dimitri who feature a lot in this book. However, I
did miss some of the characters from this series, like Jill and Angeline. I
also did not see the storyline about Olive coming when I started the book.

This is one of my favourite series, and although there is
no obvious plots to continue, I hope there is more books in this universe. I would
recommend The Ruby Circle to fans of The Vampire Academy series and people who
enjoyed the previous Bloodlines books.

Sunday, 15 February 2015

Jinji is imprisoned in the dungeons, unsure of what is
going to happen to her and if Rhen is alive. Above her in the castle Rhen is in
a coma, but when he wakes he finds his world has changed. His father and oldest
brother are dead, leaving his new born nephew as king, and his best friend Jin
is actually a woman. With enemies surrounding them, and Jin and Rhen growing
closer, they must work together, as the fate of humanity is in their hands.

The Spirit Heir is a really good sequel to The Shadow Soul
as it is fast paced and well written. I am really hooked to this story as it is
addictive, it has more action and romance than the previous book.

Jin is stronger in this book and is more world wise, but
she is still naïve and a nice person. Rhen has become more responsible but I do
miss the more carefree person he was in the last book, he is also more
comfortable with his powers but not with how people treat him now. I love the
sweet romance between the two of them and I like that they still have the
friendship from the previous novel but it has developed into something more.

I am really looking forward to reading the next book The
Phoenix Born. I would recommend The Spirit Heir to fans of the rest of the A
Dance of Dragons series, and this series to fans of really enjoyable YA fantasy
novels.

Thursday, 12 February 2015

It has been weeks since King Razzaq banished Mikza,
Princess Leena’s love, from the kingdom. Leena is very surprised by his sudden appearance
with a red-headed prince from their neighbouring kingdom Whylkin. Her curiosity
gets the best of her and she follows them but what she sees and who she meets will
change the world.

The Silver Key is the enjoyable sequel novella, which is
the POV of Leena when Rhen and Jin go to Ourthuro. Similar to The Golden Cage,
even though this book is not long it has a lot of story in it.

I feel very sorry for Leena in this book but it does not
stop her from helping people and she is still the same person from the previous
book who is willing to give up everything to do what is right.

The Silver Key is a really good novella and gives us a glimpse
at what will happen in the next book in this series The Spirit Heir. I would
recommend The Silver Key to fans of the other books in this series.

Monday, 9 February 2015

In Ourthuro, the King’s word is law and no one can go
against his wishes, not even his daughter, Princess Leena. However, Leena is
keeping a dangerous secret, she has fallen in love with Mikza, a solider, and
here father will punish them both if he ever finds out, but she is willing to abandon
her life of luxury and risk it all to be with him. Will they be able to escape before
it’s too late?

The Golden Cage is a really enjoyable prequel short story
in the A Dance of Dragons series. Even though it is a novella, it is not
lacking as it has forbidden romance and it was great to learn more about Leena.

I liked Leena as she is strong-willed and relatable, and is
not easily swayed by her father. Mikza is a strong and protective character
although I think he would have known more about how the king watched Leena.

Although not a happy ending, I am looking forward to reading
the other short story about Leena. I would recommend The Golden Cage to people
who enjoyed The Shadow Soul.

Friday, 6 February 2015

Thanks to Netgalley and Patchwork Press for giving me this
book to review.

Jinji’s home is destroyed and everyone she has known has
been killed by a mysterious shadow and she is left alone with nowhere to go,
until a young man called Rhen finds her. However, both are hiding secrets, Jin
is masquerading as a boy and has magic, meaning she can weave elements and
create illusions, and Rhen is a prince on the search for foreign enemies and
can pull flames into himself. While they go on a search to discover what is
happening in the kingdom Ourthuro, an evil power is after them and only Jin and
Rhen hold the key to defeat it.

I really enjoyed The Shadow Soul as it is a good fantasy,
is well written, and I was not bored from beginning to the end. There was a lot
of traveling in this book, action and a hint of potential romance for future
books. I got really invested in the story and characters and I enjoyed having
the POV of both the male and female protagonist.

I really liked Jin as she is naïve, intelligent and has an
inner strength, she has struggled but never forgot her heritage and is willing
to get justice for her family but is also willing to help her friend. Rhen is
really cleaver, much more than people expect, is very loyal to those who are
close to him, has a good sense of humour and wants to prove himself. Rhen and
Jin just clicked and I liked how they acted together and I wonder how it will
change in the next book.

This is a really good book and I can’t wait to read the
next book The Spirit Heir and the short stories in this series. I would
recommend The Shadow Soul to fans of Tamora Peirce.

Tuesday, 3 February 2015

Thanks to Edelweiss and Greenwillow Books for giving me
this book to review.

Ileni discovers that losing her powers and ending up with
the assassins is all part of a plan for her to destroy the Empire. The only
problem with this plan is that she does not want to be a weapon, all she wants
to discover the truth. She is now in the heart of the Empire, at their academy
for sorcerers, yet she is more confused than ever. Some of the people are not
as she had been lead to believe, and she is tempted by the empires evil magic. On
top of all that, her budding romance with Sorin, the assassin’s leader, is
being threatened by their differences in beliefs. Will Ilena become the weapon
she was designed to be or forge her own path and find another way to bring down
the empire?

Death Marked is the enjoyable sequel to Death Sworn but is
not as good as the first book. This book has action and suspense but not as
much romance. I could not get into to this book and it didn’t hold my interest
as much as Death Sworn.

Ileni is really indecisive in this book and I wished she
would just make up her mind, but she has grown up since the start of the first
book. Sorin is not in this book as much, yet we did get some of his POV which
means we get to understand him better. There are also some new characters which
were interesting as well as some ones from the last book.

I am not sure if there is going to be another book in this
series but I would be interested in reading more about Ileni and Sorin. I would
recommend Death Marked to fans of the first book Death Sworn.